300 or more words

This question is drawn from the section “Planning Your Own Map…”(Presnell, 207). After reading this chapter of the Presnell text can you envision a situation where you might design and include a map to illustrate a point – or points – in one of your own research projects? And note this is considerably different than simply cutting and pasting (and citing the source for) an existing map. Some might believe the effort is not worth the return; others that is well worth the effort for one reason or another. What do you personally think…and, as usual, why? (Just conversation.)

Based on your reading of Chapter 9 in the textbook, the primary source documents, and the online lessons, please share your views on ONE of the discussion topics.

1. How did the early Industrial Revolution create a market society in the Unites States??
2. What major factors contributed to the growth of the Cotton Kingdom in the early 1800s??

Please note that you need to write in separate paragraphs with a minimum of 250 words to your primary post.  Be sure to base your posting on concrete examples, specific details, and quotes from the text and documents.

Based on your reading of Chapter 10 in the textbook, the primary source documents, and the online lessons, please share your views on ONE of the discussion topics.

1. During the Jacksonian Era, we see a growing concern over the tension between North and South, and at the same time greater demands for freedom from ordinary Americans. How do these two trends overlap (or affect) one another?
2. How do you describe the policies of the United States toward Native Americans during the first half of the nineteenth century, particularly during Andrew Jackson’s presidency?

Please note that you need to write in separate paragraphs with a minimum of 250 words to your primary post.  Be sure to base your posting on concrete examples, specific details, and quotes from the text and documents.

A history position paper is a point of view paper based on analysis and supporting evidence.  It presents one side of an arguable opinion about an issue. The goal of a position paper is to convince the audience that your opinion is valid, defensible, and worth listening to.

For this assignment, you need to select a topic from the list below, develop your argument/thesis, analyze the issue, and cite sources.  The paper should contain at least three comprehensive paragraphs with a minimum of 300 words.

The following are guidelines for your paper:

• Selecting a Topic
  • To take a side on a subject, you should first select a topic that is controversial, manageable, and contains distinctive opposing views.  Please select from the list below.
• Developing an Argument
  • Once your topic is selected, you should do some study and research on the subject matter.  You need then develop an argument or a thesis, analyze the issue, making sure that your position is well supported with a list of both pro and con sides of the topic and sufficient evidence for both sides.  You may find supporting evidence in books, articles, and primary sources that can be located in our class and online sources, particularly SCC library catalogue and electric databases.
• Organizing the Paper
  • In organizing the paper, you need to develop an outline that include a brief introduction, counter argument, your argument, and conclusion.
    • Introduction: The Introduction should introduce the topic and its significance.  It should assert your thesis or your view of the issue.  This paragraph is your thesis statement with both your opinion and your approach to the issue so that the reader is interested in what you have to say.
    • Analysis: This section includes two parts— opposing opinion and your argument. In presenting the opposing opinions, you need to summarize the counter argument, and refuting those claims with supporting evidence.  It is critical to show that your argument is more valid than opposing arguments with analysis and evidence.  It’s recommended that you provide evidence for each opinion using more than one source.
    • Conclusion: The conclusion paragraph is to restate your argument and discusses its implications.
• Citing Sources
  • Source citations are important for the position paper.  It should include at least two in-text source citations and a selected bibliography using MLA style.  To learn more about MLA Style, check the Sinclair Library site at http://libguides.sinclair.edu/c.php?g=48795&p=313696.

Possible Topics:

1. How do you evaluate the Indian Removal Act of 1830?
2. Was Manifest Destiny a valid argument and needed reality in the early 1800’s?
3. In the Nullification Crisis, which position (South Carolina or President Jackson) do you support and why?
4. Should women have equal political and legal rights in the 1840s?
5. Should slavery be abolished in the Antebellum South?

Jackson and the Cherokee (Trail of Tears)

In this discussion, you will look at a historical situation—Indian Removal—from the participant’s perspective. This activity will allow you to “think historically” about the challenges faced by the Cherokee people as they grappled with the U.S. government’s Indian removal policy. The purpose of this discussion is to help you analyze the trials faced by one cultural group in American society and recognize the role of cultural diversity in American life. (Meets Course Learning Objectives: 5, 6, and 10)

Suggested Readings (Possible Sources):

• Memorial of the Cherokee Nation (1829): http://www.teachushistory.org/indian-removal/resources/memorial-cherokee-nation-december-1829
• Memorial of the Cherokee Nation (1830): http://www.teachushistory.org/indian-removal/resources/memorial-delegation-cherokee-nation-indians
• Cherokee Address to the American People (1830): http://www.wcu.edu/library/DigitalCollections/CherokeePhoenix/Vol3/no14/3no14_p1-c1B.htm
•  Andrew Jackson, “Second Annual Message to Congress” (1830): http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h3437t.html
•  John Marshall, “Worcester v. Georgia” (1832): http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/two/worcestr.htm
•  Andrew Jackson, “Seventh Annual Message to Congress” (1835): http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/two/removal.htm
•  John Ross, “Letter Defending the Cherokee’s Right to their Land” (1836): http://www.teachushistory.org/indian-removal/resources/letter-ross-defending-cherokees-right-their-land

Directions

When you review these documents concerning events that led up to the Trail of Tears, pay attention to the legal arguments offered, as well as to the viewpoints of those involved in the struggle. In at least three paragraphs (more is perfectly acceptable), write an appeal to the American people from the perspective of a Cherokee in 1836 (note that the Cherokee Trail of Tears commenced in 1838). Keep in mind events and legal realities of the time, and be sure to make direct and specific reference to and include specific examples from the contents of at least THREE different sources (from the list above) in the body of your initial posting in order to be eligible for full credit (that is, the reference should be in the text of your posting, not just in your Works Cited).

Important: For this assignment, you can (and should) use present tense AND first person 🙂 

After making your initial post based on the assigned readings for this lesson, you should respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. These response posts should be approximately a paragraph long and substantive in content (provide a response and/or critique, along with an explanation of your response/critique to your classmate–that is, your responses must be more than “Good job, So-and-So.”).

For all postings (initial and response), remember to proofread before you submit. Your postings must follow the conventions of grammar and spelling. Don’t forget to cite any sources you used in writing your posting (include in-text citations; don’t forget a Works Cited at the end of your posting).

PLEASE NOTE: You may (and are encouraged to) quote from the sources in your postings; however, quotations should be no more than 3 lines long and should be used for emphasis only. Quotations should not constitute more than a total of 20% of any one post.

Both your initial posting and your response postings must be issued no later than the due dates.

Consult the HIST 2111 Course Calendar for the appropriate deadlines to submit posts.